Push Play Heart Week 1- 7 November

Push Play Heart Week 1- 7 November

This week is Push Play Heart Week and there are loads of activities planned to encourage New Zealanders to get up off the sofa, out of the house or workplace and celebrate being physically active.

Hawke’s Bay District Health Board health promoter, Kerry Weston, said everyone should push play for at least 30 minutes a day, at least five days a week. “This can take many forms, such as walking, doing housework, washing the car, or simply taking the stairs at work, and parking a few blocks away from the shops.

“From a health perspective exercise can improve mobility and reduce pain for arthritis sufferers, alongside a healthy, sensible eating plan it can help reduce weight…which has a host of other benefits such as reducing the risk of heart disease, breast and colon cancer, strokes and delay the onset of dementia and Type 2 diabetes.

“One of the real pluses is the ‘feel good’ factor experienced after exercise. This is because exercise causes your body to release endorphins, which can help relieve stress, make us smile and generally feel good about life and ourselves.

“An important spin-off of being physically active is that adults are setting the scene and being positive active role-models for our children,” says Kerry. “With childhood obesity on the increase, making exercise part of everyday life can make a big difference to the future health of Hawke’s Bay families…and it’s fun!” Kerry Weston said.
Push Play/Heart Week Hawke’s Bay District Health Board, Sport Hawke’s Bay and the Heart Foundation have teamed up to Push Play and healthy lifestyles from Monday 1 November. There are plenty of free, fun, physical activities: Monday 1 November – Sunday 7 November Sport Hawke’s Bay’s Green Prescription Team invites DHB staff & Medical Centre staff to compete in a week-long ‘Step’ challenge and/or volleyball tournament. Contact Sport Hawke’s Bay for details 845 9333 or check Nettie for details. The step challenge Get walking and tally your steps. You’ll be provided with a pedometer and walking chart. Results will be presented at the volleyball tournament Get a group together – up to 10 members in each group, and you can enter more than one team from each workplace Volleyball tournament Sunday 7 November 4:30pm – 6:30pm Venue: Pettigrew Green Arena Teams rotate around courts with 20 minute games. There’ll be a prize-giving & refreshments afterwards.

Tuesday 2 November is active movement experience day for pre-schoolers.

Wednesday 3 November is ‘Wear red Wednesday’ with donations going to the Heart Foundation. The BEAT HB group (Breathe Easy and Talk) is holding an open day at the SwimGym in Hastings. This group is a combination of cardiac and pulmonary patients who get together weekly in Hastings and Napier.

Thursday 4 November is the Heart Foundation’s street appeal.

Friday 5 November Try Tai Chi for free In Napier at 11:30am & 6:00pm at the Sound Shell, Marine Parade and in Hastings 11:30am at the Coronation Memorial Fountain, Cornwall Park. All sessions are free, and 30 minutes duration. Bring a cushion or towel to sit on. Wacky Wheels & Walk In Napier turn up at the Sound Shell any time between 12noon and 2:30pm for your 30 minutes of push play along the Napier Rotary Pathway. In Hastings it’s all happening at Cornwall Park. Register at the Coronation Memorial Fountain (near the playground) The aim is to collectively clock up 260km, which represents the length of Hawke’s Bay, from Norsewood to Mahia. Rowing challenge The Alzheimers Rowing Challenge kicks off at 5pm on Friday 5 November in the Civic Mall, Napier. Enter a team. Call Helen Francis at 06 834 0417 for details All week long you could be ‘caught being active’ roaming photographers will be taking photos of people being active. They will be published in Hawke’s Bay Today, and there are prizes up for grabs!

For more information about any of these activities contact Kerry Weston, Health Promoter at the Public Health Unit in the Napier Health Centre phone (06) 834 1815 extn. 4252 or kerry.weston@hawkesbaydhb.govt.nz

Or check out the Sport Hawke’s Bay website: http://www.sporthb.net.nz or call 0800 ACTIVE

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